Solstice 1946

Hans Hofmann's "Solstice," made with oil on canvas, is a testament to his 'push and pull' theory, where color and form advance and recede, creating dynamic tension. Hofmann’s technique is raw and expressive. Notice the thick application of paint, or impasto, which gives a tactile quality, highlighting the materiality of the medium itself. The vibrant colors, thickly layered, create a visual experience that almost vibrates with energy. It's clear Hofmann wasn't interested in hiding the labor of painting; each brushstroke is visible, a direct record of his physical engagement with the canvas. Hofmann's abstract expressionism democratized the act of painting by celebrating the artist's process, bringing forth the notion that it's not only the end product that matters, but also the journey of creation, thus blurring the boundaries between traditional notions of art and craft.